TVA Encourages Safe Recreation on Reservoirs

July 2, 2009

With all TVA reservoirs at full summer pool, TVA advises boaters and swimmers to be extra cautious during the July 4th weekend.

The full pool levels will attract many to boat and fish in areas that were drought-stricken for the past three summers.

“This is the first time our tributary reservoir system has been full in several years, so we know more people will come out to enjoy recreational opportunities on the water,” TVA Senior Vice President of River Operations Janet Herrin said. “As the number of boats and personal watercraft increases, the potential for accidents increases. We encourage boaters to watch for submerged logs, sandbars and shoals that may have shifted during recent rains.”

Because of the increased potential for hazards, boaters are urged to use caution at all times, especially if they are unfamiliar with the reservoir. In addition, increased traffic at boat ramps could make launching boats more difficult in some areas.

TVA also reminds boaters to use caution in commercial navigation channels and offers the following rules when boating in barge traffic:

• Do not anchor your boat in the channel, and never tie off to a navigation buoy.
• Beware of blind spots that extend for several hundred feet around barges. 
• When you cross the main channel of the river, always proceed in high-visibility areas.
• When night boating, always keep your lights on.
• Take extra care when boating at night; a barge cannot steer around you and may need up to 1½ miles to stop. 

All boaters should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and refrain from alcohol use while on the water.

TVA’s Web site, www.tva.com, offers recreation information on all TVA reservoirs, and includes tips for safe water recreation.

Information about current reservoir levels, a three-day forecast for levels and observed rainfall are posted daily on TVA’s Web site at www.tva.com/river.

TVA continues to manage river flows to protect water quality, aquatic habitat, and commercial navigation on the Tennessee River system and to ensure that municipalities and industries have access to the water they need.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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